KEENE, N.H. 5/18/10 – When Patrick Hearn, a longtime member of the Keene State College athletic department and current assistant director of recreation sports, head that the Owls was headed to Auburn, N.Y. for the NCAA Division III baseball regional tournament it brought back memories of his uncle Barney Hearn.

Barney Hearn was a sport legend in the Auburn area.  Hearn played minor league baseball on several area teams from 1934-51, winning batting titles in the PONY and Border Leagues.  One of his teammates in Jamestown (N.Y.) was Hall of Famer Nellie Fox.

Barney Hearn, an outfielder, played in 1,530 games, finishing with a .328 average, 90 home runs and 152 stolen bases. 

“He was all-set to sign with the St. Louis Browns, but blew out his knee playing in a summer, league,” said Pat Hearn. 

Keene State will play its NCAA games at Falcon Park, the home of the Auburn Doubledays, an affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Hearn helped in the construction of the old Falcon Park, which was demolished in 1994.  In an interview from the book From Baseball's Canadian-American League, Hearn didn't have kind words to say about the facility.  “It was a lousy park.  It dipped off about four feet from home plate to centerfield,” he said.  “A guy had to six foot five to play centerfield or he'd miss 'em. 

Speaking about the infield, Hearn said “It was better to play in a garage.”

Barney Hearn served as a player-manager for several of the teams he played on and later became general manager and a scout. One of his prize signings was former Met pitcher Jerry Koosman.

During the winter months Hearn kept busy as an NBA referee.

Hearn, who passed away in 1997, was inducted into the Auburn-Doubleday Hall of Fame.